What Does 2014 Have in Store for You?

I’ve read a lot of blog posts and stories about resolutions versus goals versus whatever else you’d like to call them. For 2014, I have a lot of things I’d like to accomplish so I’m calling it a “To Do” list. I work best with lists and I love checking them off (never checking them twice – that’s Santa’s job). And now that I have my fabulous Erin Condren Life Planner in hand, I’m hoping it will make things easier. A full review of the Life Planner is on the way so stay tuned (loving it!).

Over the past few weeks I have been mentally listing things I’d like to do in 2014. Of course, I’ve forgotten many of them (reason #606824 why I need a Life Planner) but here is a running list of the ones I can easily recall:

Learn – really learn – how to play the guitar. Lucky for me, Santa was kind enough to leave one for me under the tree. Not so lucky is my little furry friend who cringes at the sight of it.

Get more organized. I am incredibly organized to begin with but, I can be even more organized at home by giving everything a place. My new motto is that if it doesn’t have a home, it doesn’t belong in mine. Translation: CLEAN OUT ALL THE THINGS.

Travel more

Be present and mindful of the moment

Gain speed in shorter distances. What this means for me in 2014 is no marathons. Because I have projects at home that I want to undertake and new things I want to pursue, I’ve decided that the commitment of another marathon training cycle is too much. Perhaps a half marathon awaits me sometime in 2014 (possibly the Long Island Half in May or Lake Placid in September), but regaining speed in shorter distances is where my head is at the current moment. A duathlon is also a possibility.

Learn to crochet. And by learn I mean dust off my crocheting needles and really take the time to get acquainted after a very long hiatus.

Continually remember to be kind, thoughtful, and gracious

Read more. At least one book a month to keep my heart happy.

Be more crafty. Thanks to Pinterest my head is swirling with ideas.

Meditate

Read the Bible. While not religious, I think it’s important to become reacquainted with its stories and messages.

Watch less TV. This excludes Downton Abbey and The Bachelor/Bachelorette.

Pay off that pesky grad school loan

Understand more fully that life takes some unexpected twists and turns and to be grateful for the ride.

Wag more, bark less! Silly, but true.

What does 2014 have in store for you? Do you use the new year to wipe the slate clean and start fresh?

Great list – I am definitely an advocate of ‘goals’, because for many things a ‘resolution’ is too vague. But again that also depends on the person. 🙂

For the guitar, not sure if you are planning formal lessons, but if not check out the Hal Leonard books on Amazon – they are ‘classics’ (i.e. old) that I first learned on as a kid, and picked up again last year when I wanted to re-learn core techniques and freshen up my sight-reading skills.

I also like that many people are questioning that the marathon distance is somehow ‘manifest destiny’ for all runners, and instead finding out what distance THEY like. My goal this winter is to be ‘run a goal pace half-marathon tomorrow’ ready, which I have managed so far and really enjoy it. But I still love the full marathon … I think in 2014 as I plan an Ultra I will learn what is the right distance for me.

I’m definitely in the “goals” boat. I make lists of things I want to accomplish – one list for this year and a second list for further down the road.

Btw, I WANT one of those Life Planners! I’ve been looking for a paper planner, but haven’t found anything I love….until now! I know the hubby will think I’m silly for spending that much on a planner, but hey, he also thinks I’m crazy for being a runner 😉